LSU swingman Dameon Mason did not make the trip to Wichita for the men's basketball game at Wichita State to attend intersession classes, the school said Tuesday.

Mason is enrolled in the classes, which are intensive in that they covers a semester of work during the break between semesters. Because of that, Mason could not afford to miss two days of work. Mason's absence leaves LSU with nine players.

"Having faced a difficult semester academically and with only nine hours needed for graduation, Dameon Mason is not on the trip to Wichita in order to attend the intersession classes he needs to insure his opportunity for graduation," LSU Coach John Brady said. "Even though it puts an added strain on our team because of the limited numbers, our goal for our players to receive a degree from LSU has always been the top priority."